The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-10-30
ELECTIONS IN BALTIMORE.


A City in Which Joe Mackin aud Sim Coy
Would he Regarded as Amateurs.
Special to the indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON. Oct ga visit to the various
polling places in the city of Baltimore on an
election day would be revelation to many men
in this country who think they are political
"fne-workers." There is no other place on
earth whore the science of practical politics is
reduced to such fine art Really it is simply
huge waste of time and money to hold an elec-
ton in the Monumental City. The only reason
why the ballot-boxes are arranged at the poll
ing places is that it affords an opportunity for
few faithful, but i'm pecunious followers of the
Democratic god, Arthur P. German, to earn a
few dollars. An ELECTION" was held last
Wednesday. The polls opened at A. NJ and
closed twelve hours after. Before half that
time had passed the afternoon organ Of the Cor
man wing of the Democratic party in Baltimore
had prepared table in which
the majorties OF tho different wards were given
to the public. AT p NJ this sheet was on the
street, with a report of these majorities. which
varied bat slightly from the figures announced
as the official returns later in the evening. It
Is said that the exact majority was announced
to /. few of the bosss particular friends the night
before the election, so-called, took place. In
view of the fact that Mr.. German has only to
name the figures which he desires TO insure the
return OF just the majority he wants. this
report has, doubtless, an element of foundation.
One who has never seen how it is done may
wonder how such things are possible. An ex
cathedra explanation could only come from ono
Of the allies Of the Maryland boss, and they are
not in the habit of giving anything away, as they
express it themselves. But some of the methods
employed were witnesses by your correspond
emit, who went owe. to Baltimore for the purpose
of seeing some of the ways that are considered
dark. In the first place. It must be rememb ered
that Maryland has an election law which is pocu-
liar to the State. In New York it is provided that
each side shall be represented upon the board OF
inspectors or judges of election. In New FORK
each side dominates two of these inspectors for
each of the election districts TIE names OF
the three candidates receiving the highest votes
are declared to be the inspectors for the ensuing
year. By this method the party having the
greatest strength in any given district, or pre-
cinct. will have the majority of the board
Under the plan each party will be represented
BY the man or men whom the party majority
may choose In Maryland it is also provided
that each party shall be represented on the cleo
ton board. but the supervisors of election, ap-
pointed by the Governor have entire control OF
the selections for both sides II will readily DO
understood, therefore. that the board of judges
at each poll will be intensely partisan as they
be. In consequence, IL ring or
control OF
themselves in control for unlimited time.
practically. The independent movement in
Maryland this year WAS designed to rid the city
and the State from this system OF political cor
ruption. The leaders Of the movement thought
that they could accomplish the result at which
they aimed. But they reckoned without Cor
man. and as a result they left out again.
With the election machinery entirely in his
hands. this able politician can secure almost
any result that he chooses. The misspelling OF
a score of names in each precinct will disfran-
chise many voters. and there $50 precincts IN
in the city. Besides this. the German men man
in the way OF repeaters who personare other and
anti Gorman voters. In the course of two hours
Tuesday your correspondent saw not less
than twenty men who attempted to vote the re-
form ticket who were told they could not do SO,
as they recorded as having voted previ-
ously. The independents still think that they
will win the State election but with everything
in the hands of their opponents, this belief does
not seem to be we'll based.